James Rivett QC

Called 2004 (Lincoln’s Inn)

Feb 2009 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “C” panel

Dec 2013 – Appointed Consultant Lecturer, Sotheby’s Institute of Art

March 2014 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “B” panel

September 2017 – Appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown – “A” panel

March 2019 – QC

Recent cases include MJP Media (Upper Tribunal); Forde & McHugh Ltd (Upper Tribunal); Icebreaker 1 LLP (Upper Tribunal); Class IV GLO (Court of Appeal); Huitson & Shiner (Court of Appeal); Trustees of the BT Pension Scheme (First-Tier Tribunal).

Regular contributor of articles to specialist tax journals

Contributor to Potter and Monroe’s Tax Planning with Precedents and Atkins Court Forms (Revenue) (2007 Issue)

Author of the statutory construction and Ramsay chapters of Simon’s Direct Tax Service

James lectures regularly on all aspects of tax

Chancery Bar Association

Revenue Bar Association

VAT Practitioner’s Group

International Fiscal Association

MA (Cantab)(Starred Double First), Clare College, Cambridge

MPhil, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge

Postgraduate Diploma in Law, City University, London (Lord Bowen Scholarship and Hardwicke Award, Lincoln’s Inn, 11 King’s Walk prize for Public Law, City University)

Bar Vocational Course (Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn)

Tax: Corporate Tax
New Silks

Has a broad-based corporate tax practice and regularly appears in major cases relating to matters such as tax schemes, double tax treaties and manufactured overseas dividends. He represents both the Revenue and the taxpayer. “Extremely good and very persuasive.” “He’s very enthusiastic and super bright.” (2020)

“Very quick-witted.” “Very good with clients.” (2019)

. . . “A great junior. Very commercial, adept at building client relationships and technically sound.” “Helpful, approachable, enthusiastic and intellectually very strong.” (2018)

Tax: Private Client
New Silks

Recently elevated to silk, he is regarded by sources as a personable and impressive advocate who is in high demand. Rivett has particular expertise in the often arcane world of variation of trust, and he is also an expert in heritage property matters for landed estates. “An absolute star on the tax advisory side, he is so in demand these days that it would be helpful if he were cloned.” (2020)

“We love working with him – he is superb in person and verbally. If you want someone quick and to the point he is amazing; he has a very, very fast brain.” (2019)

. . . “There doesn’t seem to be any aspect of tax that James Rivett hasn’t mastered. One always feels he is very much on your side in trying to find a solution without taking silly risks, but he doesn’t shirk the difficult message.” “He really knows what he is doing. He can translate sophisticated legal issues to the layman.” (2018)

Tax: Indirect Tax
New Silks

Has a growing indirect tax practice with a particular expertise in VAT, and often appears before the Upper Tribunal. He acts for the taxpayer in leading cases and is often called upon to advise on extremely complex matters. “He’s super user-friendly and very able.” “Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” (2020)

“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very bright and very engaging.” (2019)

. . . “His preparation, legal analysis and court room manner as well as his general client-facing skills are exceptional.” “He is a very persuasive speaker.” (2018)

Family/Matrimonial: Trusts/Tax Experts
New Silks

Acts in contentious financial remedy cases involving complex foreign trusts with accompanying tax issues.
Strengths: “His advice is sound in all cases. He is thorough, confidence-giving and authoritative.” (2020)

“Hugely clever and a brilliant advocate.” “Very quick-witted, with real charm and agility.” (2019)

Tax: Corporate

Ranking: 2019 Silk

‘He is tenacious and argues his cases convincingly.’ (2020)

‘He has an incisive perspective, a good eye for detail.’ (2019)

‘An incisive barrister, who advances his views in a compelling manner.’ (2018)

Private Client: Personal Tax
Ranking: 2019 Silk, Tier 1

‘Explains complicated matters very well.’ (2020)

‘He is frighteningly intelligent and extremely well liked by opponents and judges alike.’ (2019)

‘There doesn’t seem to be any aspect of private client tax that he hasn’t mastered.’ (2018)

Tax: Private Client

Ranking: New Silks

James Rivett QC took silk in 2019, and remains a popular choice among private practice solicitors and with the Revenue for tax advisory work and litigation. Fellow counsel says he is “very thorough, very personable, good with clients and an effective advocate.” An instructing solicitor considers Rivett “an absolute star on the tax advisory side, but in such demand these days it would be helpful if he could be cloned.” (2019)

James Rivett is considered a “star at junior level” for his tax practice. He assists clients with advisory and contentious tax matters, including tax issues arising from divorces. An interviewee comments: “We love working with him – he is superb in person and verbally. If you want someone quick and to the point he is amazing; he has a very, very fast brain.” Rivett is also praised as “very bright and very engaging,” and “incredibly cerebral.” (2018)